Help at nursing homes

Tuesday

Dec 30, 2008 at 12:01 AMDec 30, 2008 at 4:28 PM

During this season of New Year’s resolutions, I would like to suggest an important one to your readers: volunteering at a local nursing home. Through volunteering, you can contribute to the residents’ quality of life in many meaningful ways.

During this season of New Year’s resolutions, I would like to suggest an important one to your readers: volunteering at a local nursing home. Through volunteering, you can contribute to the residents’ quality of life in many meaningful ways.

The first step is to contact the activity director at your local nursing home and discuss how you can contribute. Volunteers pursue many enjoyable endeavors such as visiting residents in their rooms, bringing in their pets and children to spend time with residents, playing piano during music programs, helping residents write letters and e-mails, and assisting residents with their gardening program.

Think creatively about how you can share your unique talents and interests to make the residents’ days more enjoyable. Maybe you could put on a cooking class, lead a discussion on World War II, or bring in your Harley-Davidson for the residents to see.

Many nursing home residents have few if any visitors, so these simple efforts can really make a difference. Volunteers benefit from the experience as well. They feel good knowing that their efforts are bringing joy to the lives of the elderly.

The best New Year’s resolutions are those that enable us to bring joy and happiness to the lives of others. Residents at nursing homes need quality time with their friends and neighbors, and would find your visits and caring outreach most rewarding.

— Kevin Kavanaugh, director of community education, Illinois Council on Long Term Care

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